Reed MichaelsenNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy as well as the Washington State legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C-SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia." Prior to joining the Northwest News Network, Austin worked as a television reporter in Seattle, Portland and Boise. Austin is a graduate of Garfield High School in Seattle and Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut. Austin’s reporting has been recognized with awards from the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated and the Society of Professional Journalists.NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Austin JenkinsFri, 09 Dec 2016 16:36:37 +0000Austin Jenkinshttp://nwpr.org
Austin JenkinsTypically a survivor of domestic violence would never know if their abuser tried to buy a gun and was denied after a background check. But now a state lawmaker and a domestic violence survivor want to change that.'He Tried to Buy a Gun.' Words Domestic Violence Survivors Never Want To Hearhttp://nwpr.org/post/he-tried-buy-gun-words-domestic-violence-survivors-never-want-hear
86942 as http://nwpr.orgFri, 09 Dec 2016 15:03:23 +0000'He Tried to Buy a Gun.' Words Domestic Violence Survivors Never Want To HearAustin JenkinsA sentencing calculation error that led to the early release of nearly 3,000 Washington prison inmates over more than a decade came to light one year ago this month. And Washington’s interim Secretary of Corrections has warned a similar mistake could happen again.Corrections Secretary: Washington Sentencing So Complex, More Errors Certainhttp://nwpr.org/post/corrections-secretary-washington-sentencing-so-complex-more-errors-certain
86831 as http://nwpr.orgTue, 06 Dec 2016 00:23:08 +0000Corrections Secretary: Washington Sentencing So Complex, More Errors CertainAustin JenkinsWashington’s only maximum security prison for women is overcrowded. That means some inmates are being housed at the Yakima County Jail. Now family members are calling on the governor to halt those transfers.Governor Inslee Asked To Halt Transfer Of Women Inmates To Yakima Jailhttp://nwpr.org/post/governor-inslee-asked-halt-transfer-women-inmates-yakima-jail
86731 as http://nwpr.orgSat, 03 Dec 2016 01:42:16 +0000Governor Inslee Asked To Halt Transfer Of Women Inmates To Yakima JailAustin JenkinsPolice across the Northwest and the country are mourning the shooting death of Tacoma police officer Reginald “Jake” Gutierrez. He was a 17-year veteran of the department. His death is also having an effect on police recruits.Officer's Death Has Ripple Effect To Police Recruits, Familieshttp://nwpr.org/post/officers-death-has-ripple-effect-police-recruits-families
86684 as http://nwpr.orgFri, 02 Dec 2016 01:07:57 +0000Officer's Death Has Ripple Effect To Police Recruits, FamiliesAustin JenkinsIn 2014, Washington’s Medicaid program resumed covering dental care for adults. That was celebrated by advocates for the poor. But on Thursday, a panel of lawmakers will hear about ongoing challenges to that program.Dearth Of Providers, Delays In Authorizations Plague Medicaid Dental Programhttp://nwpr.org/post/dearth-providers-delays-authorizations-plague-medicaid-dental-program
86589 as http://nwpr.orgTue, 29 Nov 2016 23:36:27 +0000Dearth Of Providers, Delays In Authorizations Plague Medicaid Dental ProgramAustin JenkinsWashington jails are old, crowded and holding people who are disabled, mentally ill and often haven’t yet been convicted of a crime. County jails are often the first stop for people who enter the criminal justice system.Jail Conditions And Who's Locked Up Have Some Washington Lawmakers Concernedhttp://nwpr.org/post/jail-conditions-and-whos-locked-have-some-washington-lawmakers-concerned
86387 as http://nwpr.orgWed, 23 Nov 2016 02:30:55 +0000Jail Conditions And Who's Locked Up Have Some Washington Lawmakers ConcernedAustin JenkinsOver the summer, wildlife managers killed seven wolves in the Profanity Peak pack in northeast Washington. The wolves had been preying on cattle grazing on the Colville National Forest. Under Washington’s wolf management plan, the trigger for so-called “lethal action” is when a wolf pack attacks livestock four or more times in a year.Killing Wolves Who Prey On Livestock Could Become More Common In Washington Statehttp://nwpr.org/post/killing-wolves-who-prey-livestock-could-become-more-common-washington-state
86356 as http://nwpr.orgTue, 22 Nov 2016 15:00:11 +0000Killing Wolves Who Prey On Livestock Could Become More Common In Washington StateAustin JenkinsNegative political ads often work. But not always. In Washington state, some winners on election night withstood hundreds of thousands of dollars in political action committee spending against them.PAC Spending Didn't Always Win The Race In Washingtonhttp://nwpr.org/post/pac-spending-didnt-always-win-race-washington
86319 as http://nwpr.orgMon, 21 Nov 2016 15:03:52 +0000PAC Spending Didn't Always Win The Race In WashingtonAustin JenkinsDisabled inmates are suffering from discrimination and isolation in Washington jails. That’s the finding of a report out Wednesday from Disability Rights Washington.Solitary Confinement Widely Used In Washington Jails Says Reporthttp://nwpr.org/post/solitary-confinement-widely-used-washington-jails-says-report
86168 as http://nwpr.orgThu, 17 Nov 2016 00:40:16 +0000Solitary Confinement Widely Used In Washington Jails Says ReportAustin JenkinsWhat happens when someone who’s not supposed to have a gun lies about their background and tries to buy one? In Washington state, the answer is not much. FBI records show that between January and August of this year, 3,259 would-be gun buyers in Washington failed a federal background check. But police and prosecutors rarely, if ever, pursue these people.'Lie And Try' To Buy A Gun In Washington? Little Risk Of Arrest, Prosecutionhttp://nwpr.org/post/lie-and-try-buy-gun-washington-little-risk-arrest-prosecution
86142 as http://nwpr.orgWed, 16 Nov 2016 15:29:33 +0000'Lie And Try' To Buy A Gun In Washington? Little Risk Of Arrest, ProsecutionAustin JenkinsA lot has changed since election night when it looked like House Democrats were poised to gain two seats and cement their majority. Now fortunes could be changing in favor of Republicans and the Washington state House could be headed for a tie.A Tied Washington House? Republicans Are Two Close Races Awayhttp://nwpr.org/post/tied-washington-house-republicans-are-two-close-races-away
86125 as http://nwpr.orgWed, 16 Nov 2016 00:43:29 +0000A Tied Washington House? Republicans Are Two Close Races AwayAustin JenkinsThe decision to stop calling Washington prison inmates “offenders” is not sitting well with a group of Republican state senators. They’ve written a letter to Secretary of Corrections Dick Morgan challenging the policy change.Republican Senators Challenge Decision To Stop Calling Prison Inmates 'Offenders'http://nwpr.org/post/republican-senators-challenge-decision-stop-calling-prison-inmates-offenders
86078 as http://nwpr.orgMon, 14 Nov 2016 23:56:39 +0000Republican Senators Challenge Decision To Stop Calling Prison Inmates 'Offenders'Austin JenkinsWashington state Sen. Andy Hill, R-Redmond, is being remembered as a social liberal who was a friend to rural Washington. Hill died last month after a recurrence of cancer. He was memorialized Monday on the Senate floor.Andy Hill Remembered As Socially Liberal, Friend To Rural Washington http://nwpr.org/post/andy-hill-remembered-socially-liberal-friend-rural-washington
86077 as http://nwpr.orgMon, 14 Nov 2016 23:54:28 +0000Andy Hill Remembered As Socially Liberal, Friend To Rural Washington Austin JenkinsOne person who’s celebrating the election of Donald Trump is his Washington state director. And Republican state Sen. Don Benton said he was confident Trump would win. But to those who are dismayed, Benton has a message.Trump's State Director Says 'Give The Guy A Chance'http://nwpr.org/post/trumps-state-director-says-give-guy-chance
85904 as http://nwpr.orgThu, 10 Nov 2016 00:28:56 +0000Trump's State Director Says 'Give The Guy A Chance'Austin JenkinsIf there was a “Trump effect” in Washington state, it showed up in four mostly rural western Washington counties. Mason, Grays Harbor, Pacific and Cowlitz counties went for President Obama in 2012. But Donald Trump managed to flip them.Four Rural Western Washington Counties Flip For Trumphttp://nwpr.org/post/four-rural-western-washington-counties-flip-trump
85900 as http://nwpr.orgThu, 10 Nov 2016 00:13:48 +0000Four Rural Western Washington Counties Flip For TrumpAustin JenkinsIf the presidential race was a stunner, Washington state’s elections were not. Gov. Jay Inslee cruised to re-election as expected. And there were no upsets further down the ballot either.Democrats (And Two Republicans) Ahead In Washington Statehttp://nwpr.org/post/democrats-and-two-republicans-ahead-washington-state
85867 as http://nwpr.orgWed, 09 Nov 2016 14:37:49 +0000Democrats (And Two Republicans) Ahead In Washington StateAustin JenkinsThree incumbent Washington Supreme Court justices appear headed to easy re-election.Despite ‘Soft-On-Crime’ Attacks, Incumbents Leading In Supreme Court Raceshttp://nwpr.org/post/despite-soft-crime-attacks-incumbents-leading-supreme-court-races
85849 as http://nwpr.orgWed, 09 Nov 2016 06:58:54 +0000Despite ‘Soft-On-Crime’ Attacks, Incumbents Leading In Supreme Court RacesAustin JenkinsWashington Governor Jay Inslee was cruising to re-election Tuesday night with 56 percent of the vote over Republican challenger Bill Bryant. But several other statewide races were still too close to call, including State Superintendent of Public Instruction.As Clinton Path To White House Narrows, Democrats Win In Washington Statehttp://nwpr.org/post/clinton-path-white-house-narrows-democrats-win-washington-state
85845 as http://nwpr.orgWed, 09 Nov 2016 05:52:01 +0000As Clinton Path To White House Narrows, Democrats Win In Washington StateAustin JenkinsWashington prison inmates will no longer be called “offenders.” The Secretary of Corrections made that announcement in an all-staff message Tuesday.Washington Prisons To Cease Calling Inmates 'Offenders'http://nwpr.org/post/washington-prisons-cease-calling-inmates-offenders
85645 as http://nwpr.orgFri, 04 Nov 2016 00:27:57 +0000Washington Prisons To Cease Calling Inmates 'Offenders'Austin JenkinsFirst they called for her resignation. Now the Republican leaders of the Washington House and Senate are calling for the suspension of the director of the state’s campaign finance watchdog.Republican Leaders Want Public Disclosure Commission Director Suspendedhttp://nwpr.org/post/republican-leaders-want-public-disclosure-commission-director-suspended
85604 as http://nwpr.orgWed, 02 Nov 2016 23:05:11 +0000Republican Leaders Want Public Disclosure Commission Director Suspended